//------------------------------//
// 49. The Main Event: Misty vs. Leon part 1 
// Story: Misty's Adventures in Galar 
// by Brian Sheil 
//------------------------------//

The next day, the arena was filled with fans. Even Hop, Marnie, and Bede were in attendance. Soon the voice of MC Brian Sheil is heard.
"Ladies and gentlemen, after a 5 day delay," Brian announced, "we are ready for the Main Event. It will be the up and coming trainer, Misty Brightdawn, battling our beloved champion: Leon!"
Soon, Misty walks into the arena wearing her challenger outfit. Next, Leon comes to the arena. They're both greeted with applause. At a Hospital near Wyndon, Paradise and Firefly, who are recovering from the energy collective, watched the event from their hospital beds.
"Do you think Misty can beat Leon?" Firefly asked.
Paradise looked at her friend with her eyes glowing a dull yellow. "No way. We know Leon is unbeatable. That girl doesn't stand a chance."
"Yeah, you're right." Firefly's eyes glowed a little too. "Let's see that girl fall flat on her face."
The doctor looks on with concern. "The sparking stopped and the glowing slowed down. But, these girls still doubt that their friend can handle Leon."
Back at the arena, the two combatants are ready for their six on six battle.
"Are you ready for this, Misty?" Leon asked.
"Ready when you are." Misty replied.
"Then, here comes Pokémon number one. Go, Aegislash!"
Out pops what looks like a sword and shield combined. Misty studies this Pokémon. Aegislash, the Royal Sword Pokémon and the evolved form of Doublade. The Pokédex said. A symbol of royalty to many. It was known to accompany kings in ancient times.
In the audience, Hydia watches with interest. "So, that's what my Doublade would evolve into."
Misty made her first choice. "Go, Ninetales!"
Ninetales comes out. The referee comes to the field. "Let the battle begin!"
"Ninetales, use Flamethrower!" Misty calls out.
As Ninetales blew fire, Leon makes his move. "Aegislash, use Shadow Sneak!"
Aegislash disappears into the ground. Ninetales is on guard. Suddenly, Aegislash rises from the ground, switch to battle mode, and attacks. The sudden attack hit Ninetales good. Misty was surprised.
"Not bad for a ghost type." Leon commented. "Huh, Misty?"
"But, it's also a steel type." Misty informed. "Ninetales, Incinerate!"
Ninetales blew fire into Aegislash from close up. The heat caused the Royal Sword Pokémon to faint.
"Aegislash is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Ninetales wins!"
"A great way to start this tournament as Misty gets her first win." Brian said.
At the hospital, Paradise and Firefly watched, and suddenly had a flashback. They remember meeting Misty as she was starting her journey. The girls are starting to realize their mistake. At the arena, Leon recalled Aegislash.
"Not bad for a start." Leon said as he gets out another Pokémon. "Here comes Pokémon number two. Go, Dragapult!"
Misty was surprised to see that Leon has a Dragapult. She had an idea how to handle this.
"Ninetales, return." Misty said. She then made her next choice. "Go, Grimmsnarl!"
This got Leon surprised. "A Grimmsnarl? Either way, I'll make this Dark Pokémon see the light. Dragapult, use Dragon Pulse!"
Dragapult made some dragon energy appear. Misty reacted quickly. "Dodge it, Grimmsnarl. Then, use Sucker Punch!"
After avoiding the Dragon Pulse, Grimmsnarl raised his fist surrounded by black energy, and whacked Dragapult. Leon was shocked as Misty followed up that attack. "Now, False Surrender!"
After kneeling, Grimmsnarl unleashed it's hair to strike Dragapult. That attack made this ghostly dragon faint.
"Dragapult is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Grimmsnarl wins!"
"Dragapult felt those hairs hurt badly," Brian said to the crowd, "being a ghost type. Either way, Misty is ahead two to zero!"
From their hospital beds, Paradise and Firefly soon remembered the times they spent each other at camping sites. The two girls soon felt different.
"I guess Misty isn't bad after all." Paradise figured.
Firefly nodded, knowing she's right. Back at the arena, Leon recalled Dragapult and is impressed with Misty's knowledge.
"Being a Dark type, Grimmsnarl was awesome striking a ghost type like Dragapult." Leon praised.
"Thank you, Leon." Misty replied happily.
"Here's another dragon type. But, without the ghost part. Pokémon number three is Haxorus!"
Out comes a green scaly creature with tusks that look like axe blades. Misty got out her Pokédex to look at this creature.
 Haxorus, the Axe Jaw Pokémon. Said the Pokédex. Between it's armor and tusks, this Pokémon is very powerful.
Misty got a bit nervous. Leon made his first move. "Haxorus, use Dragon Pulse!"
Haxorus unleashed energy at Grimmsnarl. Misty reacted. "Dodge, then use Power Up Punch!"
After dodging, Grimmsnarl rushed in with it's fists glowing. Leon has other ideas. "Block that move with Dual Chop!"
Haxorus used it's arms to block that punch. Leon followed it up. "Now, use Dragon Claw!"
The Axe Jaw Pokémon struck Grimmsnarl hard. So hard, Grimmsnarl fainted.
"Grimmsnarl is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Haxorus wins."
"Leon makes a surprising comeback as Misty's first Pokémon goes down." Brian said. "The score is now two to one. Misty is still leading."
"Return, Grimmsnarl." Misty said. She makes her next choice. "Here comes MY Dragapult!"
As soon as Misty's Dragapult comes out, she makes her first move. "Dragapult, use Dragon Darts!"
Quickly, Dragapult fired it's Dreepy Missiles and struck Haxorus hard.
"Not a bad shot." Leon commented. "But, let's see you dodge this. Haxorus, Dragon Rush!"
Glowing with green energy, Haxorus charges into Dragapult. Misty reacted quickly. "Dragapult, use your Dragon Rush too!"
Dragapult glowed and charged into the battle. When the two Pokémon collided, it caused an explosion. What will happen when the smoke clears? Who will come out unscathed? Will it be Haxorus or Dragapult?


The answers lie ahead in our next exciting episode.

End of Chapter 49